Interest Group Climate & Adaptation within the network of European EPAs

1. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) Interest Group Climate & Adaptation within the network of European EPAs Jelle van Minnen

2. Outline • The EPA network & its IG Climate & adaptation • Feedback 9th & 10th IG meeting • Joint initiatives • National information • Exchange scientific information • Issues for 11th meeting Jelle van Minnen

3. EPA network • “Informal grouping bringing together the directors of EPAs and similar bodies across Europe, led by EEA” • Objective of network • exchange views and experiences on issues of common interest • provide information to Brussels • Network • meets 2x a year => broad environmental interest • Has nine Interest Groups (IG) Jelle van Minnen

4. EPA IG Climate & Adaptation • Meets 2x a year, 15-20 EPAs active • Objectives • Exchange information and experiences between countries in the field of climate change impacts, vulnerability & adaptation • Support the European Commission in process towards a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy • Exchange scientific information related to climate change: e.g. costs; regional climate data, modelling & scenario’s • Establish links to other networks (EU WGKB, ENCA, CIRCLE) Jelle van Minnen

5. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG • Joint initiatives • 3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper • EPAs agree with many aspects of GP & WP • Defined challenges for follow-up process • Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs • Follow discussions with EC (and WG KB), e.g. • EPAs are users, data suppliers, communicator of CH • Reporting & streamlining (e.g. RBMP) • Joint bidding (e.g. Interreg) • Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries • 3rd phase on Eastern Europe • Joint slot EMS/ECAC conference. Jelle van Minnen

6. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG (ii) • Overview National Adaptation Initiatives • Adaptation is concern in almost all countries. Many have a strategy & process towards implementation • Research projects initiated. Jelle van Minnen

7. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG (iii) • Become updated with scientific information • Costs & benefits of adaptation • Definitions, potentials, problems, e.g. • How account for different timing, uncertainties, mal-adaptive effects, difference in sectors, … • Comparing approaches • “CBA difficult, costs & benefits may be” • Adaptation indicators: • European versus national initiatives • Process versus outcome indicators Jelle van Minnen

8. 11th meeting EPA IG • 13 & 14 September 2010, Zurich • Issues, e.g.: • Follow-up support EC • EMS/ECAC meeting • Joint proposals • National presentations • Challenges for broader network Jelle van Minnen

9. Jelle van Minnen

10. EPA network (ii) • Current Interest Groups • Biodiversity • Better regulations • Soil protection • Environment & health • GMO • International Cooperation • Natural resources & material flow • Quality Assessment • Climate change mitigation: CCS • Climate change adaptation Jelle van Minnen

11. EPA IG Climate & Adaptation (ii) • Exchange on national information: e.g. NL Jelle van Minnen

12. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG • Joint initiatives, e.g. • 3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper • Agreed with many aspects. • Defined challenges for follow-up process • Proposed certain type of reporting • More on uncertainties, consistent & not double reporting • Stimulate cross-sectoral linkages • Sufficient financing • More network between MS & regions, link to domain of European sustainability, urban areas • Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs • Follow discussions with EC • Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries Jelle van Minnen

13. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG • Much national information: e.g. new strategies appear, new national research programs, started links to RBMPs • 3rd position paper as a response to EU White Paper • Agreed with many aspects of WP, e.g. • 2 step approach, involvement of MSs, call for integrated approach, • Various challenges for follow-up process • Information for non-scientists, more on uncertainties, consistent & not double reporting • Stimulate cross-sectoral linkages • Sufficient financing • Implementing adaptation in EU external policy • More network between MS & regions, link to domain of European sustainability, urban areas • Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs Jelle van Minnen

14. Feedback 8th meeting EPA IG Climate & Adaptation(ii) • Reporting framework: • Avoid duplication through harmonisation with and establishing links to other reporting obligations • If reporting framework is introduced => coherent template, e.g. reporting on • existing national adaptation plans and/or strategies, or those in preparation • institutional and legal framework for the adaptation activities • key climatic vulnerabilities • National and European research programmes and databases • Existing and planned policies and measures (e.g. objective, type, stakeholder, …). • on joint activities/mainstreaming Jelle van Minnen

15. Feedback 9th & 10th meeting EPA IG • Joint initiatives • 3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper • EPAs agree with many aspects of GP & WP • Defined challenges for follow-up process • Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs • Follow discussions with EC (and WG KB), e.g. • EPAs are users, data suppliers, communicator of CH • Reporting & streamlining (e.g. RBMP) • Joint bidding (e.g. Interreg) • Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries • 3rd phase on Eastern Europe • Joint slot EMS/ECAC conference. Jelle van Minnen